Combined tree feller and log saw rig



Jan. 6, 1925. 1,521,981

4 G. S. ABBOTT COMBINED TREE FELLER AND LOG SAW BIG 1 Filed June 6, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan; 1925- G. S. ABBOTT COMBINED TREE FELLER AND LOG SAW RIG Filed June 6, 1921; 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ammo z & H5 5012 Jan. 6, 1925. '1,521,9s1

G. s. ABBOTT COMBINED TREE FELLER AND LOG SAW RIG Filed June 6, 1921, 3 She ets-Shee't a Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

entree stares- PATENT *SOFFZCE,

. GEORGES. ABBOTT, 0F OTTAWA, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'lO FRANK WHITE- NACK. OF OTTAWA, KANSAS.

COMBINED TREE FELLER AND LOG SAW RIG.

Application filed June 6, 1921. Serial No. 475,324.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. ABBOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ottawa, in the county of Franklin and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Tree Feller and Log Saw Rig, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a combination tree feller and log saw rig, and it is an ob jcct of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character including a reciprocating saw together with means whereby the saw may be adjusted ln desired position for use in connection with a standing tree or log after being felled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a carriage supporting the saw and the means for oper-- ating the same and which carriage is adapted to move by gravity in one direction, when desired, so that the requisite feed of the saw will be effected and which is of particular advantage in the felling of standing trees or the like. d

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the desired feed ofthe saw is effected automatically and preferably by gravity and wherein said saw is adapted to work in either a substantially horizontal or in a substantially vertical direction.

, The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved tree feller and log sawrig whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a combined tree feller and log saw rig constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in a position to fell a tree.

Figure 2 is a View in perspective of my improved rig as herein disclosed with cer tain of the parts omitted.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentaryview partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating in detail the mounting'for the saw frame. I r

Figure 4 is a sectional view-taken substantially on the line 4t4: of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a View in perspective of the guide casting as herein embodied, T

Figure 6, is a fragmentaryview in perspective of the tensioning arm as herein included, and Figure 7 is a transverse sectional View taken through the structure as illustrated in Figure 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, F denotes a frame of desired configuration and dimensions and which is provided at one end with the transversely spaced ground engaging wheels 1, affording the support for the said end portion of the frame.

The opposite end portion of the frame is provided with the depending legs or standards 2 which serve as a support-for said end.

This last namedportion of the frame F is also provided with the outstanding members 3 whereby means is provided for transporting the frame and the parts mounted thereon when desired, it .being understood that when the frame F is being so transported the carriage C, to be hereinafter re ferred to, is positionedadjacent the end portion of the frame F provided with the wheels 1. v

The frame F is provided with the tracks 4 disposed longitudinally thereof and on an incline toward the forward end portion of the frame F or that end portion provided with. the wheels 1, and mounted upon the tracks 4 through the instrumentalitv ofthe wheels 5 is a carriage C, hereinbefore referred to, said carriage C being disposed transversely of the frame F. Mounted upon the carriage C is an engine E preferably of an internal combustion type, and which is in driving connection through the medium of a belt 6 or its equivalent, with a shaft 7 extending beyond theinner side of the carriage C and in a direction toward the forward or front end of the frame F. Carried by the. extended end portion of the shaft 7. is a crank disk 8 with which is operatively engaged, in a conventional manner, .a pitman 9. This pitman 9 is also operatively engaged with a slide 10 which is mounted for reciprocatory movement with in the guide casting or member G. This guide casting or member G comprises two parallel bars 11 connected at predetermined points along the length thereof by the clownwardly curved webs or members 12.

One of the bars 11 is provided with an outwardly directed web 14 which is bolted or otherwise secured through the inner side marginal portion of the carriage C adjacent an end thereof and in a position whereby the upper end of the bars 11 are substantially flush with the adjacent end of the carriage CQ The outer ends of the bars 11 have hingedly connected therewith by the rule oints 15, the extension members 16 which, when the apparatusis not in use, may be readily swung inwardly of the frame F or more particularly the carriage C and which adjustment is of particular advantage when the machine is being transported.

17 denotes a vertically disposed bar provided at its central portion with a rearwardly directed flange or web 18 which is fixed to the outer end of the slide 10 and the opposite end portions of said bar 17 are provided with the forwardly directed arms 19 and The upper arm 19 is provided at its free end portion with an opening 21 through which a rod 22 is insertable and I theouter or free extremity of the lower arm is providedwith a restricted opening 23 to receive a reduced extension 24 of the rod 22. The rod 22 is also disposed through a sleeve 25 provided with the rearwardly directed arms26 adapted to engage the opposite side faces of the bar 17 and whereby effective means is provided for holding the sleeve 25 against rotation upon the rod 22.

' Also slidably mounted on the rod 22 is a collar 27, said collar 27 being positioned in advance or below the frame S, to be herein.- after referred to, The collar 27 carries a clamping screw 28 engageable with the rod 22. The collar 27 is employed to hold the sleeve 25 at a desired position along the rod 22 and particularly in accordance with the desired height of the stump in felling a tree.

Extending outwardly from the sleeve 25 is socket member 29 in which is adapted to be inserted a coupling shank 30 carried by the saw frame S. The socket member 29 carries a clamping screw. 31 engaged with the coupling shank 30 so that the frame S maybe held in desired position or adjustment with respect to the sleeve 25. The frame S, as herein disclosed, is substantially U-shaped in form and the coupling shank 30 is carried by the free end portion of a side arm of said frame and is substantially perpendicularly related thereto. The intermediate portion or back of the saw frame S and the inner portions of the side arms of said frame have associated therewith the brace or reinforcing members 32. Supported between the free end portions of the side arms of the saw frame S is a saw blade or band 33 of a conventional type.

When my improved machine is employed in felling trees, the frame S is disposed in a plane parallel to the tracks 4 and the machine in its entirety placed in such proximity to the tree to be felled to arrange the saw frame S to one side of the tree, the sleeve 25 is adjusted along the rod 22 in accordance with the desired height of the stump, the engine E is then caused to operate and which operation results in a desired reciprocation of the frame S and the saw blade 33 carried thereby, and the desired feed of the saw is effected by the gravitating movement of the carriage C down the inclined tracks 4. To facilitate the cutting action of the saw 33 in the felling of a tree, I find it of advantage to provide a tension arm 34 provided at its outer end with a forked head 35 which straddles the back of the saw. The opposite or inner end portion of the tension arm 34 is provided with a loop or ring 36 which is loosely engaged with an arm or rod 37 fixed to the end portion of the carriage C adjacent the frame S. Threaded through the loop or ring 36 is a clamping screw 38 co-acting with the arm or rod 37 so that the arm 34 may be held in an inoperative position when required, Interposed between the central portion of the tension arm 34 and theadjacent end of the carriage C is retractile member 39, herein disclosed as a coil spring, and which operates to cause the tension arm 34 to constantly press upon the back of the frame S. The arm 34 serves to maintain the frame S in substantially a horizontal position.

In order to facilitate the sliding or moving of the sleeve 25 along the rod .2, n end portion of a flexible member or chain 40 is fixed to said sleeve, the opposite end por tion of said member being disposed through an opening 41 in the upper arn' 19 and over the pulleys as shown.

When it is desired to use my improved device for sawing logs or a tree that has been felled, the clamping screw 31 is loosened and the saw frame S swung into a vertical position after which said screw is again tightened. Before this adjustment of the frame S is made, the tension. arm 34 is disengaged from the frame. With the frame S in this position, and when it is desired to hold the frame above the log to be sawed, the free end portion of the flexible member or chain 40 is engaged with a hook member 42 carried by one of the bars 11 in the guide casting or member G.

l (l O \Vhen it is desired to hold the carriage C at the upper portion of the tracks 4, a hook member 43 is engaged with an eye 44, or the like, carried by the adjacent end of the frame F, said hook member 43 being herein disclosed as secured to the carriage C through the medium of a flexible member or chain 45. With the saw frame S in a position for use in connection with logs, said frame is adapted to feed or move downwardly by gravity and for which reason the collar 27 is positioned upon the lowermost portion of the rod 22.

As the carriage C travels down the trackway 4, the saw 33 will not bind in the kerf as such tendency is overcome by the sleeve 25 adjusting itself on the rod 22, giving the saw a direct pull through the kerf. The stump carries the weight of the saw 33, sleeve 25 and frame S. The arm 34 is loosely connected with the arm or rod 37, thereby permitting the arm 34 to have free movement to lift up as rod 22 lowers.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a tree feller and log saw rig constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts shown herein in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a portable tree felling and log sawing machine, a wheeled support, guides on the support inclined and arranged longitudinally of the latter, a carriage freely movable on said guides, a motor carried by the carriage, a longitudinally reciprocable'slide arranged transversely of and projecting slightly beyond one side of the support and mounted on the carriage, operative connections between the motor and the slide, and a drag saw connected at its inner end to the projecting end of the slide.

2. In a portable tree felling and log saw ing machine, a wheeled support, guides on the support inclined and arranged longitudinally of the latter, a carriage freely movable on said guides, a motor carried by the carriage, a longitudinally reciprocable slide arranged transversely of and projecting slightly beyond one side of the support and mounted on the carriage, operative connections between the motor and the slide, and a drag saw connected at its inner end to the projecting end of the slide, the connection between the slide and saw permitting horizontal swinging of the saw, and yieldable arranged transversely of and projectingwv slightly beyond one side of the support and mounted on the carriage, operative connections between the motor and the slide, and a drag saw connected at its inner end to the projecting end of the slide, the connection-5;

between the slide and saw permitting horizontal swinging of the saw, and yieldable means carried by the carriage and engaging the saw to maintain the same in substantially a horizontal position, said yieldable means being releasably engaged with the saw, said saw being rotatable upon a horizontal axis parallel with its longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the slide,

whereby the saw may be disengaged from;::..

said yieldable means and positioned vertically for sawing felled trees or logs, said saw being further freely movable vertically relative to the slide to feed downwardly by gravity as the log sawing operation pro-.1

ceeds.

4. In a portable tree felling and log sawing machine, a wheeled support, guides on the support inclined and arranged longitudinally of the latter, a carriage ifreely movable on said guides, a motor carried by the carriage, a longitudinally reciprocable slide arranged transversely of and projecting slightly beyond one side of. the support and mounted on the carriage, operative connections between the motor and the slide, and a drag saw connected at its inner end to the projecting end of the slide, the connection between the slide and saw permitting horizontal swinging of the saw, and yieldable means carried by the carriage and engaging the saw to maintain the same in substantially a horizontal position, said yieldable means being releasably engaged with the saw, said saw being rotatable upon a horizontal axis parallel with its longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the slide, whereby the saw may be disengaged fro-m said yieldable means and positioned vertically for sawing felled trees or logs, said saw being further freely movable vertically relative to the slide to feed downwardly by gravity as the log sawing operation proceeds, and means for holding the saw steady, parallel with the slide during the log sawing operation, said saw holding means being releasable to permit swinging of the saw to a position alongside the support at right angles to the slide when not in use. 1

' -5.' Ina portable tree "felling and log sawiiig' ina'chine, a Wheeled-support, 'guides on the support inclined and arranged longitudinally ofthedatter, a' carriage freely inov a'bleon said guides,'aniotor Carried by the carriage,- a"longitudinal' ly reeipr'ocable slidelarraiig'ed' transversely'oi and projecti'ng slightly beyond one side of the sup- "p'drtand inounted on the carriage, o'perat'ive Connections between the motor and the 'slitle,*an'cl"a drag 's'aW Connected at its iniier endto the projecting end of the slide,said sa W jbeingrotatable upona horizontalaxis parallel With the longitudii'ial axis of the W'andslide whereby the saw may be p0- si'tioned verticallyfor sawing felled trees or logs, said saW being further freely inovableve'rtica-lly relative to the slide to feed downwardly by gravity as the log sawing bperatiorrfproceeds.

6. In' a 'portable tree felling and log sawj iiig' niaohine,'=a Wheeled support, guides on the support inflli'ned a1i(l"a'1-I"-ange(:l longi- "tudinally of the latter, a Carriagefreely "inovableon'said guides, a motor carried by the carriage, a longitudinall "iecijorocable 's li'de -arranged transversely of and projectihg slightly 'beyoiidone side 'ot'the sup- Port and inounted'on the'ca'rria'ge, operative connections-between 'the'rnotor and the slide,

and a drag sa-W connectedat its inner endto the "projecting end of the slide, said saw "being further freely'inovable vertically relative to the slide to feed downwardly by ig rayity" asthe log sawing operation proc'eedsf and means adjustable to limit the "downward mo'vein'e'nt of the saw to adesired elevation,- at Will.

7.In a portable tree felling andlog saw- 'ing machine; a" Wheeled support; guides on the support inclined and arranged longitudinally of the latter, a carriage freely IDOVZLblBODSEIlCl guides, a motor carried by the carriage, a longitudinally 'reciprocable slide arranged tran'sversely'of and projecting 'slightly' b'eyond one side *of the support and'inoiinted on. the Carriage, operative connectionsbetween the'rnotor and the slide, and a drag saw oonnedte'dat ltSlIlnGl end to tlieprojecting end'of the slide, the connect-ion between" the slideand saw permitting horizontal swinging oi the saw, said saw being fu'rtherfreely movable vertically relative to the slide to feed downwardly by gravity as the log sawing 'operation vproce'eds, and ineans for holding "the saw steady 8. In a portable tree felling and log sawing maelnne; a Wheeled support, guides on the support inclined and arranged longitudinal-lybf the latter, a carriage freely movable on saidguidesgamotor carried by the carriage, 'a"long1tud1n ally reciprocable slide arranged transversely of and IJI'OjGCting slightly beyond'one side of the support and inounted'on the earriageyop'erative connections between the motor and the slide. and adragsa'w connected at its inner end to the projecting e'ndoif the slide, said saw be 'ingfpositionable for tree Felling, or felled log s-awingy at W111.

In'testim'ony whereof Ih'ereunto aflix my signature. I

GEORGE S. ABBOTT. 

